He was so good at what he did, he easily beat Obi-Wan and Luke. He was actually toying with them.

You also can't count Vader getting whooped by Luke at the end of Jedi either, because who's to say Vader wasn't LETTING him lash out - that's what he wanted after all. Vader wanted Luke to thrash him, it was his plan all along.

It's safe to say Vader was holding back against Luke.

Yoda and Dooku were almost at a standoff, and it's safe to say Vader is better than Dooku, being younger and probably a lot stronger.

People say "he's getting older and is part machine". I was always under the impression Vader would be even BETTER being part man part droid, he would be stronger, and more durable. Since when does being mechanical mean they are slow? If anything, with Vader being a robotics expert himself, he's be constructed from the fastest robotics there are. General Grievous will prove just how a Vader-esque being can move.

When Vader was getting frustrated towards Luke (just before he cuts off his hand) in Empire, he's moving very fast, and very intense.

Seeing as Vader is very gifted in force strength and also has mechnical strength, any lightsaber clashes would result in him winning. Yoda would constantly be on his toes. Even if Yoda lands the odd blow, Vader would be unfazed anyway.

possibly. Vader may have been holding back sometimes, but he was still willing to destroy Luke and would have givent he chance. Vader said himself that Luke's hatred could destoy him and when Luke goes beserk in Return of the Jedi he was releaseing all his anger

Originally posted by Maikahyandowen Vader said himself that Luke's hatred could destoy him and when Luke goes beserk in Return of the Jedi he was releaseing all his anger

Yeah, and Vader was still holding back. Vader knew when Luke went to kill the Emperor, that they were getting to him, their plan was working - why the hell would Vader start to annihilate him now?

Vader let Luke open up the whoop-ass on him.

The anger within Vader - as opposed to the very cold and calmer Count Dooku - would definitely give Yoda a run for his money.

The hate and anger within Vader is probably only next to the Emperor.

This kinda begs the question - who is the more full of hate and anger (not necessarily the most evil) - Vader or The Emperor. I'd go with Vader. The Emperor has had everything fall into place so nicely, wheras Anakin/Vader feels like he's been dumped on most of his life.

The emperor didn't have any good in him. Vader did. that was the reason, if any, he had for holding back, if indeed he did. however, he really didn't hold back against Obi-Wan. probably due to some resentment he had for him. and Vader's very cold and calm

Whoa, Vader may have lost most of his powers, but you have to realize at what a level he was at in the end of Episode 3. he was the Jesus who turned evil. Considering the darkside was already way more powerful, and how much power could flow through him (due to his high midichlorian count) Before the injuries you could argue he is more powerful than Sidious.
After, he is 20% less powerful than Sidious. Lucas said that already. Considering his body his more durable, the special armor he has, (it did block Luke's saber in ESB) and the fact that the darkside is stronger, Darth Vader would kill Yoda.
I hate to say it man, but it's true.
Not to mention Vader is at the same level of lightsaber skill as Yoda. (according to Nick Gillard) The Dark Lord just wins.

__________________"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant, next to the power of the force."

Honestly, what on EARTH makes so many people think the OT Darth Vader is SOOOOOO freakin powerful?????!!!! All he does is choke, choke, choke, and torture people weaker than he is!!! He faces of against Obi-Wan, someone who hasnít really done much from ROTS to ANH. He didn't even win that fight, Obi-Wan gave in. In ESB, he faces of against Luke, someone who had a few hours of training, and luke even lands a blow on vaderís shoulder! Well, at least vader won this one without the other person giving up. Well guess what! In ROTJ, he gets his ass handed to him by that same UNTRAINED PADAWAN!!!!!! I doubt Vader didn't try, because why the hell was Vader breathing like he ran a marathon after the fight, not even Luke seemed to be that tired. Besides, while Luke was jabbing his ass of at Vader, Vader could barely even MOVE!!! He was completely owned by Luke!!!

And my FINAL POINT, he can't seem to think for himself. He lets his emotions get the better of him, and doesnít even know what is best for him until someone tells him!!!! People simply told the guy what to do. He first takes orders from the emperor for twenty or so years, not having any idea what he was doing, and when the emperor is torturing his son, AFTER A HELL OF A WHILE, he finally comes to his freakiní senses that have deserted him for a LONG time, and throws the emperor off the bridge. Then he dies.

Honestly, I just don't see how someone who lost to a boy with a few days of training can defeat one of the most powerful Jedi Master ever.

__________________
"Beneath this mask there is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea, Mr. Creedy, and ideas are bulletproof." (Thanks TRiNiTYfemi for the sig!)

My views are that master Yoda would defeat darth Vader. If Obi-WAn managed to deafeat Anakin when he was at his strongest and most powerful. Obi Wan wasn't defeated by Darth Vader...he waited to see if Luke and co were safe and could escape. Thats why ObiWan switches off his light saber and disapears before darth strikes his body. So basically when Darth became a machine he became restricted and not being able to flow freely like a jedi should. Yoda would win by far.

Given their physical status in the Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, I think Vader would win the fight between him and Yoda, even after seeing Episode II. Yoda is far too old to put up an effective fight against Vader when Vader was at his prime.

Age has nothing to do with the fact how he fights. If you notice Yoda struggles to walk and can Hardly breathe, he only uses the force as defense and when he uses it he its unstopable! Vader would see Yoday and put up a good fight, but Yoda is the most powerful! Vader is over confident and has too many thoughts clouding his mind.

I keep hearing all this Vader is slow cause he's a machine.....cars are machines..they do go fast. Ive yet to meet a person who is stronger or faster than a machine (one designed for speed anyway). And remember, looks can be deceiving, Yoda doesnt move fast when he doesnt have to.....he walks all slow with a cane, but when its time to move, he MOVES. Same with Vader, if he had to, im sure he could too. Vader would own him, i think that Yoda still might have a soft spot for "Anakin" and would try to turn him, rather than kill him.

not neccessarily. he didn't try that with Dooku, one of his former padawans, so he probably wouldn't be inclined to do that with Vader who is about ten times worse than Dooku was. But Vader's machanical nature doesn't slow him down at all. if it did then he would have had a lot more trouble exterminateing the bulk of the Jedi.